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November 27, 2016

Go Make Disciples

Advent brings start of Church liturgical year By Ted King The Sooner Catholic

The liturgical year for the Catholic Church begins with the First Sunday of Advent. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states it is “the liturgical season of four weeks devoted to preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas.” Advent, which also is a time to prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord as foretold in the Book of Revelation, ends on Christmas Eve. The practice of spiritually preparing for Christmas was introduced in the 4th century. Saint Pope Leo (440 to 461) taught that the time before Christmas should be a time of fasting and almsgiving. It is in stark contradiction to the current culture’s commerce-driven preparation for Christmas Day. A pious practice during Advent is the use of the Advent wreath in churches and homes. On the First Sunday of Advent, a wreath is placed near the altar and holds four candles, one of which is lighted each of the four Sundays. Three are colored violet, which symbolizes penance, and the other is rose-colored, symbolizing joy.

Advent Nov. 27-Dec. 24 On the First, Second and Fourth Sundays the priest wears violet vestments, and on the Third Sunday, he wears rose vestments. On the Third Sunday of Advent we are urged to gladness in the middle of a time of expectation and penance because Jesus is coming soon at Christmas. In addition to a reading from the prophet Isaiah foretelling the coming of the Savior, there is on the Third Sunday, known as Gaudete (Latin for rejoice) Sunday, this reading from Saint Paul: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand, have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And, the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7). During Advent, the Te Deum, the joyful hymn of praise and thanksgiving, is omitted, and the Gloria in excelsis is not said during Mass. The Alleluia, however, is retained. And, in Advent the solemnization

of matrimony may not take place with the prohibition extending to the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 8. A church is never decorated for Christmas until Christmas Eve. Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord.

For more information about Advent, the liturgical calendar and prayers, go online to www.usccb. org. Ted King is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.

Catholic Charities, Sunbeam Family Services bring Christmas to OKC families OKLAHOMA CITY –Catholic Charities Oklahoma City and Sunbeam Family Services are partnering to bring A Very Giving Christmas, a Christmas store, to local families in need, Dec. 14-18. The store, Saint Nick’s Shoppe, will be located at Sunbeam Family Services, 1100 N.W. 14. Individuals selected through Sunbeam and Catholic Charities will have the opportunity to shop for new items for their families at no cost. Donors and volunteers will create a warm shopping experience and extend the season’s joy and excitement to 600 families, who otherwise would not be able buy presents for their children. continued on Page 8

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Sooner Catholic

November 27, 2016

Sooner Catholic

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Put Out Into the DeepLuke 5:4

A time to heal

By Sooner Catholic Staff This is not the column I expected to write this of Miami said recently, week. Truth be told I expected to be writing about the “we need walls with prospects and challenges of a Clinton presidency. It doors because some of would have been a notable first for the country had our greatest Americans we elected our first woman president. That will have have been immigrants to wait. On the other hand, there would certainly have or refugees. … We won’t been many very serious concerns: the HHS mandate, make America great Archbishop Paul S. Coakley same-sex marriage and transgenderism would have se- again by making Amercured another powerful and influential advocate in the ica mean.” White House. Foremost in my mind was concern for Overheated campaign rhetoric is causing real the type of Supreme Court nominees that a President alarm among the millions of immigrants living withHillary Clinton would almost certainly have proposed out documents in our nation. I know many of our to the Senate. There would be little or no hope of turnCatholic people who are afraid of what tomorrow ing back the expansion of abortion access for the next may bring. They are afraid to answer their doors for few decades. fear immigration officials are beginning to round up Based on her well-documented record and campaign “illegals” and begin mass deportations. Children born promises, I expected that we would in this country (who are citizens) be bracing for appointees who are afraid that their parents may “Many people are alarmed would have had to pledge allenot come home from work beat the outcome of this giance to Roe v. Wade and would cause they have been placed in election and mistakenly have contributed to the further a detention center. These are our assume that those who erosion of our first and fundamenparishioners, our brothers and voted for Mr. Trump did tal freedom, our religious liberty. sisters, who share our pews in so because they are okay Enter President-elect Donald our churches. The threat of mass with anti-immigrant, J. Trump. I didn’t see it coming. deportations of the undocumented racist, anti-Muslim, Perhaps we can breathe easier is clearly impractical and wrongabout some of the concerns that headed. anti-woman rhetoric. a different administration might Many people are alarmed at That is not a reasonable have presented. So, what are the the outcome of this election and assumption. Nor should prospects of a Trump presidency? mistakenly assume that those the new administration What does it mean? Certainly, assume that it has a man- who voted for Mr. Trump did so it means that the pollsters and because they are okay with andate to act upon such pundits got it wrong. There was ti-immigrant, racist, anti-Muslim, assumptions.” apparently much more discontent anti-woman rhetoric. That is not with the status quo and where a reasonable assumption. Nor we were headed than previously imagined. It would should the new administration assume that it has a be hard to pin President-elect Trump’s victory to any mandate to act upon such assumptions. single promise or policy proposal. He was a difficult With the heat of the protracted campaign now becandidate to admire. His language and rhetoric were hind us, I hope and pray that our president-elect will often outrageous, and certainly he has many character begin to walk back some of the divisive rhetoric that flaws, like most of us. has caused such fear and alarm in our communities. His most alarming rhetoric, however, seemed calcuThis rhetoric will make it impossible for our president lated to prey upon fear of immigrants. Certainly, secur- to heal our nation and to begin the task of governing ing our borders, public safety and national security are all Americans. It is antithetical to the spirit of hoscrucially important in an age when narco-trafficking pitality and welcome that has made this nation of and terrorism threaten our nation and our commuimmigrants the greatest country in the world. nities. Perhaps candidate Trump’s most memorable Like him or not; whether we voted for him or not; campaign promise was to build a wall across our it is our duty to pray for our president. It would have southern border (and make Mexico pay for it). If we are been so, even had the election produced a different going to build a wall, as Archbishop Thomas Wenski result.

Additional coverage of Church and archdiocesan news and events, only on www.soonercatholic.org:  To send photos, event information or story ideas, e-mail [email protected].  For information on the priesthood and religious life, go online to www.archokc. org/vocations/home or contact Fr. Brian Buettner at [email protected], (405) 721-9351.  Oklahoma hotlines for help during the holidays:  2-1-1 is free and confidential, 24 hours a day;  Poison control, (800) 222-1222;  Rape, domestic violence hotline, (800) 522-SAFE (7233);  Suicide hotlines, (800) 273-TALK (8255), (800) SUICIDE (784-2433).  Mental health, substance abuse, (800) 522-9054.

Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Arquidiócesis de Oklahoma City

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Archbishop Coakley’s Calendar Nov. 27 – Dec. 11, 2016 Nov. 29 – School Mass and classroom visits, 8:30 a.m., Sacred Heart School, El Reno Nov. 29 – Catholic Campaign for Human Development reception, 6 p.m., Catholic Charities Offices, OKC Nov. 30 – Dec. 1 – Catholic Relief Services Board meeting, Baltimore Dec. 6 – Personnel Board meeting, 10 a.m., Catholic Pastoral Center Dec. 9 – Mass and blessing of Icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 10:30 a.m., Catholic Charities Chapel, OKC

The Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma is seeking grant applications for its Pastoral Music and Fine Art Grant Awards for 2017. The deadline is Jan. 12. Applications, along with grant guidelines, have been mailed to all pastors, parish music directors and school principals in the archdiocese. Grant selections will be announced in February. The Pastoral Music and Fine Arts Endowment Fund was established five years ago to promote and celebrate the performing and visual arts throughout the archdiocese. Catholic Foundation Board President Manny Sanchez said, “The Pastoral Music and Fine Art Grants are similar to the educational grant program sponsored by the foundation. The grant awards will be based upon the significance of the project to the music and fine arts needs of the parish/school, and necessity for financial assistance. Specific areas of interest

@archokc

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The following events are part of Archbishop Coakley’s official calendar.

Pastoral music, fine arts grant applications due in January

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women,and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

may include pastoral and sacred music, choir, theatre, dance, visual arts, sculpture, religious art, art restoration or literature. In the first two years of the programs, more than $120,000 in grants have been awarded. In 2016, the program granted more than $67,000. In addition to funds from the Catholic Foundation, additional grants were made through the generous support of the Bobbie Dean Little Trust. The Trust worked with the grants committee to expand the impact to 22 parish and school projects. The foundation will give priority to projects with a strong and significant Catholic faith component such as an exhibit, festival, public art project, performance or related activity open to the broadest possible range of residents within the archdiocese (including underserved and intergenerational audiences). The grant awards are intended to support music or fine arts projects, and are not intended to supplement operating expenses. Grant requests will not be considered for fundraising events, debt reduction, non-art related brick and mortar projects, events already performed,

November 27, 2016

Holy Innocents’ Chapel remains committed to peaceful prayer

New abortion facility opens in northwest OKC

equipment/materials already purchased, endowment funds or capital campaigns. Equipment, furniture or other items will be considered if significant to the music and fine arts project. If interested in making a gift to the endowment fund, Foundation Director Barney Semtner asked donors to contact the foundation. Gifts can be set up to honor or in memory of an individual. “It is a great legacy that would continue to fund this wonderful music and arts program for years to come.” For guidelines and the application go online to www.cfook.org or by calling the Catholic Foundation at (405) 721-4115.

WARR ACRES – Earlier this month, Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, opened its first abortion facility in the State of Oklahoma in the former facility of discredited abortionist Naresh Patel. The facility sits next door to the Roman Catholic Holy Innocents’ Foundation of Oklahoma, an organization with a mission of peaceful prayer to affirm life. “Our hearts ache at this affront to the dignity of all persons,” said Lorryn McGarry, spokeswoman for the foundation. “Yet, our resolve remains the same. In our chapel, we will continue to praise and adore Our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is truly present in the Eucharist. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, we will continue to pray for an openness to and respect for the gift of life, from conception to natural death.” In a statement released by the foundation, they said, “It is a small comfort to us that we can be in such close proximity and can extend a perpetual invitation to experience firsthand the peace that only Jesus Christ can give. We are committed to keep our doors open, keep the bills paid, and keep Our Lord in the chapel to dispel all evil and wash His Grace over those in darkness. We invite all men and women of good will to partner with us in that effort.” To donate or sign up for adoration at the chapel, go online www. holyinnocentsokc.org or e-mail [email protected].

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Sooner Catholic

November 27, 2016

Sooner Catholic

Two chaplains: Two saints? By J.E. Helm

Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley Archbishop of Oklahoma City Publisher Diane Clay Editor Brianna Osborne Managing Editor

Volume 38, Number 23 Sooner Catholic Newspaper 7501 Northwest Expressway Oklahoma City, OK 73132 (405) 721-1810 Fax: (405) 721-5210 E-mail: [email protected] Mailing Address: P.O. Box 32180 Oklahoma City, OK 73123 Visit us online at www.soonercatholic.org Visit the archdiocesan website at www.archokc.org The Sooner Catholic (USPS 066-910) is published biweekly except for once in July and twice in December by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. The newspaper is not responsible for unsolicited material. Copyright © 2016 Sooner Catholic Subscription rate: $20 per year for all who are not members of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma City, OK 73125. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Sooner Catholic, P.O. Box 32180, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

The Sooner Catholic is supported through the Annual Catholic Appeal.

As the nation observed Veterans Day, we paused to remember those dedicated men and women in uniform who served their country. We especially honored those who gave their all, who faced the trial of combat and died for the cause of freedom. Some of these individuals went forward not armed with a gun or any other weapon of war, but only with the cross of Christ. Two Catholic military chaplains were awarded the prestigious Medal of Honor for their service, and both have been named Servant of God, the initial step toward being named a saint. Father Emil Kapaun’s life and death are beautifully recounted in “The Miracle of Father Kapaun” by Roy Wenzl and Travis Heying. The book begins with the end of Father Kapaun’s life, with his final months in a North Korean prisoner of war camp. Kapaun was serving in the Army with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, when they were overrun at Unsan by Chinese forces supplementing the North Koreans on Nov. 1, 1950. Even before this, this priest was well known for his bravery under fire. Wenzl and Heying describe the priest as “running from foxhole to foxhole to treat the wounded.” One witness saw him “run 300 yards outside the lines to drag stray wounded inside.” Kapaun “celebrated Mass under fire … on the hood of his jeep, never flinching at explosions.” Forced to surrender at Unsan, Kapaun and the other surviving men were taken prisoner and force-marched 60 miles to a prison camp at Pyoktong. Sergeant Miller also was taken captive. His ankle had been shattered by a grenade, and Father Kapaun “carried Miller north” for part of the way. Wenzl and Heying narrate: “you should put me down,” Miller said. “You can’t keep this up.” “We’ll keep going,” Kapaun replied. Guards were known to shoot those who could not keep up. Winters in Korea were brutal; temperatures could fall as far as 40 degrees below zero. Prisoners were fed only “two handfuls of millet and cracked corn … maybe 300 daily calories.” Father Kapaun became a food thief. Camp survivor Joseph O’Connor later said, “Maybe I shouldn’t say it … but he was the best food thief we had.”

Father cared for sick men, washed the bodies and the clothing of men too sick to care for themselves. He prayed with them, and he urged them to forgive their captors. “We should not only forgive our enemies but love them too,” Father told the men. “If we fail to forgive, we’re rejecting our own faith.” Sickness and starvation finally claimed the good father’s life. When it appeared that pneumonia had brought Kapaun to his end, the guards removed him from the other men and the comfort they could provide him. They put him in the “death house,” where he and others lay uncared for, left to die of thirst. Father Kapaun lasted there two days and died on May 23, 1951. Kapaun’s ordeal takes up the first 71 pages of the book. Wenzl and Heying go on to relate stories of men who knew Father in the camp and who eventually were successful in procuring for him the Medal of Honor in 2013. Also in the final pages are the stories of those who prayed to Father Kapaun and obtained what may well have been miraculous help. A cause for sainthood process was begun, and today Father Kapaun has been officially declared a Servant of God. Another brave chaplain is presented in the pages of “The Grunt Padre” by Father Daniel L. Mode. This book is the story of Father Vincent Robert Capodanno, a Navy chaplain who served with the U.S. Marines in Viet Nam. The author began working on the story of Father Capodanno’s life while in the seminary. Today, Father Mode is himself a Navy chaplain and serves as postulator of Father Capodanno’s cause for sainthood. While serving as missionary in Taiwan, he experienced a desire to serve as a military chaplain. He specifically wanted to serve with the Marines and volunteered for Viet Nam. He arrived in Viet Nam in 1966, the beginning of what would be the worst and bloodiest years of the war. Assigned to the 7th Marine Regiment south of Da Nang, Father Vincent strove to share the life of the men. Mode writes that “he was not a religious leader who did his job and then returned to the comfort of his own circle. Wherever they went, he went. Whatever burdens they had to carry, he shared the load.” Enlisted Marines are sometimes

called grunts, and these were the men Father Vincent came to serve. He quickly endeared himself to them, and they affectionately referred to him as “The Grunt Padre.” Many pages of “The Grunt Padre” have first person accounts of Father Vincent. Sergeant Le Loach relates that “I have seen Father go to wounded Marines while the unit was under heavy fire. … During the Monsoon season, Father continued to visit the companies of the battalion, even though the roads were almost impassable.” His Bronze Star recommendation says that “Invariably, he sought out that unit that was most likely to encounter the heaviest combat.” Father’s aide remembers him “kneeling beside (a wounded man), exposed to enemy fire, whispering in his ear, as he did to all Marines who were wounded.” Sept. 4, 1967, proved ominous for the Grunt Padre, and the last chapter of the book describes in detail the events of this day. What began as a routine maneuver soon became what Mode calls “a test of force and faith.” The “enemy attacked with sudden and lethal force,” writes Mode, and the “vicious, closecombat battle continued without any relief for the outnumbered Marines.” Father Capodanno “leapt from the crater behind the hill.” He carried back a wounded man and “continued to go back and forth giving Last Rites to dying men and bringing in wounded Marines.” An introductory piece of the book details his heroism. He was shot in the right hand and refused to be medevaced. A mortar landed near him and left his right arm hanging in shreds. Again, he refused to leave, was patched up, and had to use his left arm to support his right arm when giving absolution. Finally, he saw a corpsman who was shot in the leg and could not move. The Grunt Padre ran out to save him and was himself shot. Both men died. A number of chapels were named in his honor, and, in 1971, the Navy commissioned the USS Capodanno. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1969. Because of his heroic virtue, his life of total dedication and service, the Cause for Canonization was officially opened in 2002, and in 2006, the Archdiocese for the Military Services announced that Father Vincent Capodanno had been officially declared a Servant of God.

November 27, 2016

Arrival: Catholic worldview through science fiction By John P. McCarthy Catholic News Service

NEW YORK – Mankind has an extended encounter with aliens from outer space in “Arrival” (Paramount). This unusually intimate science-fiction drama finds profundity on a human scale as well as in the cosmos. Hypnotic and melancholy, the trenchant film probes the human capacity for awe and the benefits of being vulnerable and brave at the same time. Based on a Ted Chiang short story entitled “Story of Your Life,” “Arrival” is both vividly realistic and mesmerizingly dreamlike. At its center is Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams), a linguist mourning a personal loss, who is enlisted to communicate with extraterrestrials that have descended upon Earth in a dozen ovoid spacecraft. One of these charcoal-hued vessels hovers above a Montana field and the U.S. government, represented by Col. Weber (Forest Whitaker) of Military Intelligence, enlists Banks and a physicist named Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) to determine what its occupants want and, most urgently, whether they pose an existential threat to mankind. Step one is to find a means of communication and somehow decipher their language – either the sounds they make or, more probably, the symbols they produce. Basically, it’s a code-breaking exercise, albeit one that requires Banks and Donnelly to enter the spaceship and come face-to-face with their potential interlocutors. Although we’re only privy to the American efforts, experts from the 11 other countries where the ships have alighted attempt similar projects. Not surprisingly, the advent of the

otherworldly visitors has triggered panic and significant geopolitical instability. Eventually, several nations led by China abandon the slow process of establishing meaningful contact and, fearing annihilation, threaten to attack the aliens pre-emptively. Interlaced throughout the film are snippets of Banks’ personal life – ethereal flashbacks to moments when she’s conversing with her young daughter. These transfixing scenes evoke the recent films of director Terrence Malick, especially “The Tree of Life.” And, because they ultimately dovetail with Banks’ interaction with the aliens on both a material and metaphysical plane, they give “Arrival” a pronounced mystical quality. Revealing anything more about the plot or the aliens could spoil viewing. But, the film deploys elements commonly found in science-fiction tales in a novel and ultimately uplifting – if decidedly somber – way. Director Denis Villeneuve and his cohort of designers and craftsmen do a splendid job of generating an alternately frazzled and eerily calm atmosphere. Without diminishing any of their technical, behind-the-scenes work however, Amy Adams’ performance leaves the most lasting impression. Tough, tender and intelligent, she translates the dramatic cadences of the story in gripping fashion and will surely win accolades, including, quite possibly, her first Os-

car after five previous nominations. It’s difficult to assess whether the science underlying the narrative holds water or makes complete sense from a logical point of view. What’s clear is that the film coheres artistically and emotionally. The same can be said about whether the science meshes with Christianity and Catholic thought. Certain aspects, particularly with regard to the concept of time, seem to conflict with a theological understanding of the universe. Yet, in vital respects the values evinced by “Arrival” are consonant with a Catholic worldview. Specifically, the movie proffers a message about the necessity of accepting pain and sorrow in order to enter a more enlightened state of being. And, it highlights the wisdom of not succumbing to fear by letting our bellicose instincts override our capacity for open communication and acceptance. As a bonus, there’s no sexuality or violence – and only one lapse into vulgar language. Accordingly, most parents will probably consider this fundamentally moral work acceptable for mature adolescents. The film contains some potentially frightening scenes and a single instance of rough language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. McCarthy is a guest reviewer for Catholic News Service.

Hacksaw Ridge: A Christian message in the midst of war By Joseph McAleer Catholic News Service

NEW YORK – In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." That statement is vividly realized in "Hacksaw Ridge" (Summit), which recounts the extraordinary heroism of Army medic Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield) during the Battle of Okinawa in the closing days of World War II. A committed Christian and conscientious objector who refused to bear arms, Doss was nonetheless eager to serve his country. He single-handedly saved the lives of more than 75 wounded soldiers while under constant enemy fire, earning him the Medal of Honor, awarded by Congress. Director Mel Gibson, working from a screenplay by Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan, presents his fact-based drama in two parts. The first probes Doss' childhood and upbringing in rural Virginia, while the second unfolds on Okinawa, atop a jagged cliff nicknamed "Hacksaw Ridge" for the brutality of the Japanese offensive there. War is indeed hell, as Gibson pulls no punches in extreme battle scenes reminiscent of "Saving Private Ryan." Awash in blood and gore, with heads blown off and soldiers set afire by napalm, the violence is no doubt realistic, but will necessarily restrict this film's audience to those adults willing to endure such sights. We first meet Desmond as a spirited boy (Darcy Bryce) who is losing a fistfight with his older brother, Hal (Roman Guerriero). Desmond picks up a brick and strikes Hal, knocking him out cold.

Recoiling in horror, the boy fears he has killed his sibling (shades of Cain and Abel). He hasn't, but the incident shakes him to the core, and inspires his steadfast pacifism. "To take another man's life is the greatest sin of all," his kindly mother, Bertha (Rachel Griffiths), reminds her son, citing their beliefs as Seventh-day Adventists. Fast forward 15 years, and both sons have enlisted, to the dismay of their abusive father, Tom (Hugo Weaving). A veteran of World War I, he knows firsthand the horror and futility of war. But, Desmond is keen to play his part, despite the misgivings of his fiancee, local nurse Dorothy Schutte (Teresa Palmer). "While others are taking life, I will be saving it," he reassures her. Needless to say, Desmond faces ridicule and beatings by his fellow recruits at boot camp, who regard him as a freak and coward. The platoon's leader, Sgt. Howell (Vince Vaughn), and the company's commander, Capt. Glover (Sam Worthington), make his life miserable, and lobby for his discharge. But, Doss holds firm, calling himself a "conscientious cooperator." A military court rules that he may serve as a medic, and not bear arms. Once on Okinawa, Doss proves his mettle and earns the respect of his platoon as he runs back and forth on the battlefield

to remove the wounded. His nearly superhuman actions would seem farfetched were they not true. As might be expected with Gibson at the helm, "Hacksaw Ridge" does not sideline Doss' religious convictions, which are integral to his story and his performance on Okinawa. With Dorothy's Bible in his breast pocket, Desmond utters the cry, "Please God, let me get one more," as he repeatedly plunges back into the abyss. References to baptism and the resurrection give "Hacksaw Ridge" a transcendent, messianic quality that draws comparison with Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." As did that film, "Hacksaw Ridge" uses the pain and bloodletting it portrays to inspire viewers with a redeeming Christian message. The film contains graphic war violence with much gore, brief rear male nudity, a scene of marital sensuality and considerable crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is L –limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R – restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. McAleer is a guest reviewer for Catholic News Service.

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As Year of Mercy ends, Holy Doors close around the world

How I got my intellectual clock cleaned

November 27, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY – As Holy Doors close in churches and basilicas around the world, including in Rome, it is estimated more than 20 million people participated in the Church’s Jubilee Year of Mercy at the Vatican – and a billion people may have participated in churches worldwide. The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization was in charge of putting Pope Francis’ vision for the Year of Mercy into practice – both in the Vatican and abroad. As the year comes to a close, the Holy Doors at three basilicas in Rome – Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Saint John Lateran and Saint Mary Major – were closed during special Masses held Nov. 13. The Holy Doors at churches and basilicas around the world are also closing the same day. The year will officially end on Nov. 20, the Solemnity of Christ the King, when Pope Francis will close the Holy Door at Saint Peter’s

Basilica. It was opened on Dec. 8, 2015, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The opening of the door is meant to symbolically illustrate the idea that the Church’s faithful are offered an “extraordinary path” toward salvation during the time of Jubilee. Pilgrims who walked through the Holy Door were able to receive a plenary indulgence under the A holy door closes at Saint Paul Outside usual conditions. the Walls church in Rome. Nov. 13. Daniel In his homily for the Mass at Ibanez/CNA. Saint John Lateran, Cardinal ter world;” that despite difficulties Agostino Vallini spoke about how and sad events, what really matthe Holy Door, just closed, was a visible sign of the Jubilee of Mercy, ters is how Christians are called “to encounter the ‘Lord’s Day.’” a year where we learned “once There were many larger events again” that the fate of the world is that took place, including a 24not in the hands of men, “but in hour long period of Eucharistic the mercy of God.” adoration and a prayer vigil. AddiDuring his address for the Antionally, “jubilees” were held that gelus the same day, Pope Francis centered on, among others, the said that we must “stand firm in the Lord” and work “to build a bet- sick and disabled, catechists, teen-

November is National Native American Heritage Month American Indian Catholic Outreach Archdiocese of Oklahoma City www.archokc.org Coordinator - Deacon Roy Callison (918) 822-3255 [email protected] On Facebook What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the United States, has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose. One of the very proponents of an American Indian Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who was the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y. He persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the “First Americans” and for three years they adopted such a day. In 1915, the annual Congress of the American Indian Association meeting in Lawrence, Kan., formally approved a plan concerning American Indian Day. It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to call upon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens. The year before this proclama-

tion was issued, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians. On Dec. 14, 1915, he presented the endorsements of 24 state governments at the White House. There is no record, however, of such a national day being proclaimed. The first American Indian Day in a state was declared on the second Saturday in May 1916 by the governor of New York. Several states celebrate the fourth Friday in September. In Illinois, for example, legislators enacted such a day in 1919. Presently, several states have designated Columbus Day as Native American Day, but it continues to be a day we observe without any recognition as a national legal holiday. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been issued each year since 1994.

Archbishop Coakley joined Father John Peter Swaminathan, building committee members and parish representatives for the groundbreaking of The Father Stanley Rother Memorial Administrative Building at Holy Trinity Church in Okarche. Archbishop Coakley also blessed a renovated building for Holy Trinity School and religious education. Photos Cara Koenig/ Sooner Catholic.

agers, deacons, priests, religious, volunteers of mercy, and most recently, the poor and homeless. Ordinary jubilees occur every 25 or 50 years, and extraordinary jubilees are called for some momentous occasion. Two extraordinary jubilees were called in the 20th century – 1933, to mark the 1900th anniversary of Christ’s redemption in 33 A.D., and 1983, its 1950th anniversary. Saint John Paul II also held a “Great Jubilee” in the year 2000, marking the 2000th anniversary of Jesus’ birth and the start of the new millennium. At the start of the Jubilee of Mercy, during a general audience Dec. 9, Pope Francis asked pilgrims, “Why a Jubilee of Mercy?” The answer, he said, is because “the Church needs this extraordinary moment. I’m not (just) saying ‘it’s good,’ no! I’m saying: the Church needs it.”

This year, the Oxford DictioThere is sense, and there is non nary’s Word of the Year is “post-sense.” He went on to say, “I don’t truth” – an adjective defined as care what you think. I care desper“relating to or denoting circumately for the reasons you think as stances in which objective facts you do, because, if you have found are less influential in shaping the truth, then I want to know it public opinion than appeals to too.” emotion and personal belief.” I had no idea how deeply my In the aftermath of our general Christian convictions were comelection, this does indeed seem promised by the very ideas he to be an accurate rendering of mocked. I thought of my faith in our present cultural malaise. Jesus Christ as “True for me.” I This may seem a strange topic thought it was fine for people to for this column, dedicated to the believe that there was no such New Evangelization, but I think it thing as truth, as if such an idea serves to highlight that one of the could co-exist comfortably with its Church’s essential contributions opposite. I thought – for a moment to the evangelization of culture is – that Dr. Follette ought to care our obligation to restore people’s what I think. But, there was a vericonfidence in the existence of table explosion of light in my mind truth. We are challenged by no that day. The truth existed – for less a man than Saint John Paul everybody. It was impossible for it II to make this part of our misto be otherwise. Further to that – sion. This demands of us that we and I came to this conclusion on take account of our own attitude my own – if Jesus was God, then to the truth and he was God for what compromises everybody. And, if “People, there is our possession of that was the case, no such thing as it, our ability to then there were a transfer it to others ‘true for me.’ There lot of other implicaand their ability to tions for everybody. is true, and there receive it. Dr. Follette had is false. There is We are no strangsprayed a shot of ers to the fact that sense, and there is intellectual WD40 our culture is in into my cerebral non-sense.” a crisis of truth. clockwork, and I The truth has been have never been stuck in a logthe same since. jam in our academic institutions, It was he, a Lutheran at a public and in the sensationalistic media university, who first introduced coverage (driven by ratings) for me to the law of non-contradiction, most of my lifetime – which brings which became a cornerstone in to mind a singularly clarifying my philosophical and theological encounter with truth that I had framework. (My senior research in college. I was a communicapaper for his rhetoric course was tions major at a public university, entitled, “Why Charles Follette taking an “introduction to debate” ought to be a Catholic.”) course. The teacher, Dr. Charles Needless to say, very few people Follette, was a sight with dishevhave had the privilege of having eled hair, tobacco stained teeth, had their “clocks cleaned” in this a couple days beard growth, his way, but as a culture, we desperpolyester blue jacket covered in a ately need it. light dusting of chalk. Saint John Paul II said in Fides I was a fairly bright kid, and Et Ratio, “Although times change indeed, I was a Christian believer. and knowledge increases, it is But, unbeknownst to me, my mind possible to discern a core of philooperated like a clock whose intersophical insight within the history nal parts had been frozen in place of thought as a whole. Consider, by the rust of cultural relativism. for example, the principles of nonAs clocks go, it was right about contradiction, finality and causaltwice a day. One day, Dr. Follette ity, as well as the concept of the said in his most sarcastic tone, “I person as a free and intelligent get so amused with people who say subject, with the capacity to know stupid things, like, ‘The truth does God, truth and goodness. Consider not exist.’” I was surprised by his as well certain fundamental moral assertion. I wasn’t used to the idea norms which are shared by all. that there were stupid ideas, or These are among the indications that it was okay to call someone’s that, beyond different schools of ideas stupid. thought, there exists a body of As I attentively took notes, I knowledge which may be judged a quietly thought to myself, “What’s kind of spiritual heritage of huwrong with that? If someone wants manity. It is as if we had come to think the truth does not exupon an implicit philosophy, as a ist, why shouldn’t they think the result of which all feel that they truth does not exist?” As if in reply possess these principles, albeit in he said, “Don’t you see how stua general and unreflective way. pid that is? If the truth does not Precisely because it is shared in exist, how could it be true that the some measure by all, this knowltruth does not exist? And, by the edge should serve as a kind of way, what about that other stupid reference-point for the different saying, ‘true for me.’ People, there philosophical schools. Once reason is no such thing as ‘true for me.’ successfully intuits and formuThere is true, and there is false. lates the first universal principles

November 27, 2016

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of being and correctly draws from them conclusions which are coherent both logically and ethically, Carole Brown then it may be called right reason. Director of New …” Evangelization “Modern philosophy clearly has the great merit of focusing attention upon man. From this starting-point, human reason with its forms of expression, it has also many questions has developed tended to pursue issues – existenfurther its yearning to know tial, hermeneutical or linguistic – more and to know it ever more which ignore the radical question deeply. … Yet, the positive results of the truth about personal exisachieved must not obscure the tence, about being and about God. fact that reason, in its one-sided concern to investigate human sub- Hence we see among the men and women of our time, and not just jectivity, seems to have forgotten in some philosophers, attitudes of that men and women are always called to direct their steps towards widespread distrust of the human being’s great capacity for knowla truth which transcends them. edge. With a false modesty, people Sundered from that truth, individrest content with partial and prouals are at the mercy of caprice, visional truths, no longer seeking and their state as person ends up to ask radical questions about the being judged by pragmatic criteria based essentially upon experimen- meaning and ultimate foundation of human, personal and social tal data, in the mistaken belief existence. In short, the hope that that technology must dominate philosophy might be able to proall. It has happened therefore that vide definitive answers to these reason, rather than voicing the questions has dwindled. …” human orientation towards truth, “…it is undeniable that this has wilted under the weight of so much knowledge and little by little time of rapid and complex change has lost the capacity to lift its gaze can leave especially the younger generation, to whom the future to the heights, not daring to rise belongs and on whom it depends, to the truth of being. Abandoning with a sense that they have no the investigation of being, modern valid points of reference. The need philosophical research has confor a foundation for personal and centrated instead upon human communal life becomes all the knowing. Rather than make use of more pressing at a time when we the human capacity to know the truth, modern philosophy has pre- are faced with the patent inadequacy of perspectives in which the ferred to accentuate the ways in ephemeral is affirmed as a value which this capacity is limited and and the possibility of discovering conditioned.” the real meaning of life is cast into “This has given rise to different doubt. This is why many people forms of agnosticism and relativstumble through ism which have life to the very edge led philosophical “…it is undeniable of the abyss withresearch to lose out knowing where its way in the that this time of they are going. At shifting sands of rapid and comtimes, this hapwidespread skeptipens because those plex change can cism. Recent times whose vocation it have seen the rise leave especially is to give cultural to prominence of the younger genexpression to their various doctrines thinking no longer eration, to whom which tend to to truth, predevalue even the the future belongs look ferring quick suctruths which had and on whom it cess to the toil of been judged cerpatient enquiry into depends, with a tain. A legitimate what makes life plurality of posisense that they worth living. With tions has yielded have no valid its enduring apto an undifferenpoints of reference. peal to the search tiated pluralism, for truth, philosobased upon the phy has the great assumption that all responsibility of positions are equally valid, which forming thought and culture; and is one of today’s most widespread symptoms of the lack of confidence now it must strive resolutely to recover its original vocation. This is in truth. Even certain conceptions why I have felt both the need and of life coming from the East betray the duty to address this theme so this lack of confidence, denying that, on the threshold of the third truth its exclusive character and millennium of the Christian era, assuming that truth reveals itself equally in different doctrines, even humanity may come to a clearer sense of the great resources with if they contradict one another. On which it has been endowed and this understanding, everything is may commit itself with renewed reduced to opinion; and there is a sense of being adrift. While, on the courage to implement the plan of salvation of which its history one hand, philosophical thinking is part” (St. John Paul, Fides Et has succeeded in coming closer to Ratio, 4-5). the reality of human life and its

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Sooner Catholic

November 27, 2016

Sooner Catholic

A Very Giving Christmas gifts needed:

Catholic Charities, Sunbeam Family Services bring Christmas to OKC families “Our partnership with Sunbeam Family Services reflects the partnership we foster among our donors, volunteers and clients. A Very Giving Christmas is about relationship and participating fully in the spirit of the season. Working with Sunbeam expands the impact and reach of this program across the board. It’s a great partnership for a great cause,” said Patrick Raglow, Catholic Charities executive director. Jim Priest, CEO of Sunbeam Family Services, said, “Collaboration and cooperation among nonprofits is the key to having maximum effective impact, and that’s what we have achieved through our partnership with Catholic Charities and A Very Giving Christmas. We receive a lot of positive affirmation about the partnership from our terrific volunteers and donors, and a lot of positive gratitude from the families we serve. We are proud to be able to serve the community through this partnership.” The community can help stock the store by making a donation or by purchasing new gift items for children of all ages and their parents, and delivering them unwrapped and with tags attached to Sunbeam Family Services, Dec. 4-6. Visit the wish list at www. AVeryGivingChristmas.org or call (405) 6098994. Additional drop-off locations also will be available in Leadership Square and Valliance Bank Dec. 8-9 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit www.AveryGivingChristmas.org to see a full list of drop-off locations. Volunteer opportunities for individuals, families and groups also are available and will include decorating Saint Nick’s Shoppe, greeting families, helping families select their gifts or wrapping gifts.

About Catholic Charities Founded in 1912, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City serves all regardless of race, religion or national origin through its mission is to provide help and hope in the Catholic tradition of service. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, with regional service locations in Ardmore, Clinton, Enid, Guymon and Lawton and women’s homeless programs in Norman and Midwest City, Catholic Charities serves more than 13,500 Oklahomans annually through more than 15 social service programs. www. catholiccharitiesok.org.

To sign up for a gift; drop-off times and how to volunteer, go online to http://averygivingchristmas.org/ donate or call (405) 609-8994; (405) 523-3007. Action figures Arts and crafts kits Bikes for all ages Bike helmets Boys cologne kits Building blocks Coats for girls and boys 2T-5T Coats for youth boys and girls 6-14 Dolls and Barbies, accessories DVD players Gloves, hats and scarves for all ages Jewelry, watches and accessories for teens Learning and developmental toys Learning toys for babies and toddlers Manicure kits, nail polish, perfume and make-up for girls Purses and pocket books for teen girls Scooters and skate boards Toy cars and trucks Trikes, big wheels and wagons Amazon gift card ($25 increments) Target gift card ($25 increments) Walmart gift cards Gift wrap items: boxes, bags, tags, wrapping paper, bows, tissue, tape Kitchen utensil sets, cooking accessory sets Pots and pans, silverware, knife sets

About Sunbeam Family Services Founded in 1907, Sunbeam Family Services is one of Oklahoma’s longest serving nonprofits, providing help, hope and the opportunity to succeed to people of all ages and all stages of life in central Oklahoma through early childhood, counseling, foster care and senior services. www.sunbeamfamilyservices.org

Year of Mercy affirmed dignity, sacredness of human life, pope says VATICAN CITY – Visiting young women rescued from forced prostitution and meeting with a mother inconsolable over the loss of one of her newborn triplets are images from the Year of Mercy that Pope Francis said remain impressed on his heart. Asked about the Mercy Friday visits he made once a month during the Holy Year, the pope said the visit with women rescued from human trafficking and his visit to the neonatal ward of a Rome hospital were

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Happy New Year!

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

November 27, 2016

the visits that stand out. Visiting Rome’s San Giovanni Hospital in September, he said, “there was a woman who cried and cried and cried standing by her two infants – tiny, but beautiful. The third had died.” “She cried for that dead child while she caressed the other two,” the pope said. “It’s the gift of life.” “And I thought of the practice of getting rid of babies before they are born – this horrible crime. They get rid of them because ‘it’s better that way,’ because it is easier, ‘it is a big responsibility.’ That is a serious sin,”

the pope said. “This woman had three children and wept for the one who died; she was unable to console herself with the two remaining.” The other Mercy Friday event that was powerful, he said, was visiting a community of 15 young women who had been rescued from the traffickers who had forced them into prostitution. Pope Francis said he believes God used the Year of Mercy to plant seeds and “I believe the Lord will make grow good, simple, daily things in the life of the people -nothing spectacular.”

Pope Francis holds a baby as he visits the neonatal unit at San Giovanni Hospital in Rome Sept. 16. The visit was part of the pope’s series of Friday works of mercy during the Holy Year. CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano.

Advent: A new beginning of Christ-centered hope With sunset on Nov. 26, we officially begin our new liturgical year and the season of Advent. Many will notice the change in liturgical colors and the Advent wreath, but the liturgical year is a lot more than just new decorations, color schemes and going to Cycle A in the lectionary. The liturgical year is centered on Jesus Christ. "Holy Mother Church believes that she should celebrate the saving work of her divine spouse in a sacred commemoration on certain days throughout the course of the year. Once each week, on the day that she has called the Lord's Day, she keeps the memory of the Lord's resurrection. She also celebrates it once every year, together with his blessed passion, at Easter, that most solemn of all feasts. In the course of the year, moreover, she unfolds the whole mystery of Christ. … Thus, recalling the mysteries of the redemption, she opens up to the faithful the riches of her Lord's powers and merits, so

that these are in some way made present in every age; the faithful lay hold of them and are filled with saving grace" (CCC 1163). While the key and central celebration of the liturgical year is Easter, the great paschal mystery of our Lord Christ, the salvific events, all centered on the life of Christ, that precede Easter, and those that follow also are celebrated in a special way. “In the liturgical year the various aspects of the one Paschal mystery unfold. This also is the case with the cycle of feasts surrounding the mystery of the incarnation (Annunciation, Christmas, Epiphany). They commemorate the beginning of our salvation and communicate to us the first fruits of the Paschal mystery” (CCC 1171). The season of Advent is our opportunity to reflect and celebrate the unfolding of the Mystery of the Incarnation and the joining of the original hope in the first coming of

the Messiah with our joyful expectation of his second triumphal coming that could happen at any time. Since the Ascension, Christ's coming in glory has been imminent, even though "it is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority." This eschatological coming could be accomplished at any moment, even if both it and the final trial that will precede it are "delayed." (CCC 673) The new liturgical year is an opportunity to once more reflect on how much we are loved by God and all the steps he took to save us from sin and bless us all with salvation in and through Jesus Christ. For this reason, the Church, especially during Advent and Lent and above all at the Easter Vigil, rereads and re-lives the great events of salvation history in the "today" of her liturgy. But, this also demands that catechesis help the faithful open themselves to this spiritual understanding of the economy of salvation as the Church's liturgy reveals it and enables us to live it (CCC 1095). So, as we begin the wonderful season of Advent, our season of hope, we recommit to a year of living Christ–centered lives filled with his

Pedro A. Moreno, O.P. Director, Office of Hispanic Ministry

life, love and hope. Advent is knowing that just as God fulfilled his promises in the past, the Incarnation, then we are anchored in the steadfast hope that all will be well and we can rejoice in knowing that his promises for the future, the Second Coming of Christ, also will be triumphantly fulfilled. Advent is our season of hope! “The virtue of hope responds to the aspiration to happiness that God has placed in the heart of every man; it takes up the hopes that inspire men's activities and purifies them so as to order them to the kingdom of heaven; it keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment; it opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude. Buoyed by hope, he is preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from charity” (CCC 1818). Happy, and hope filled, New Year!

Catholic Foundation 2016 Educational Grants awarded The Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma annually awards grants in support of education-related projects to parishes, schools and religious education programs throughout the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. In addition to program materials, many grant requests focus on computers and technology as a means of engaging more students in the education process. Manny Sanchez, president of the Catholic Foundation said, “Annual grants for educational projects in parishes and schools within the archdiocese have been awarded for nearly 50 years by the Catholic Foundation. We are especially proud that the foundation can award grants for more than $100,000 for the first time. Our endowment funds at the foundation continue to grow and ensure that programs in our parishes and schools can be funded annually. This year we awarded 50 grants, totaling a record $100,372.19.” Many of the grants go to technology improvements in the classrooms. As a special emphasis, grants for STREAM projects were promoted within the schools. STREAM stands for Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Youth programs at parishes also are supported by helping students attend the Catholic youth conferences and retreats during the year. The Catholic Foundation fulfills its mission to provide grants for educational resources to Catholic programs throughout the archdiocese. Whether textbooks or laptops, “Investing in the Future of Our Faith” remains the goal. Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School student, Gabrielle Russell, demonstrates a 3-D printer purchased last year with an educational grant from the Catholic Foundation.

The 2016 Grant recipients are: Church of the Epiphany of the Lord, OKC Gymnasium projector for RE; Church of the Good Shepherd, Boise City - Custom t-shirts for RE; Holy Name of Jesus, Chickasha - Whiteboards, tables, curriculum; Holy Trinity, Okarche - Senior high program after confirmation-smart TV; Our Lady of Guadalupe, Hollis - RE furnishings; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sterling - Totus Tuus; Sacred Heart, Hinton - Materials for RE program; St. Charles Borromeo, OKC - Evangelization through Formed; St. Damian, Edmond - St. John Bosco Institute tuition assistance; St. Eugene, Weatherford - Totus Tuus; St. Francis of Assisi, OKC - Vocation exploration for HS women; St. Francis Xavier, Enid - Formed Catholic study program; St. Gregory the Great, Enid - Tech for One and All; St. Helen, Frederick - Technology in the classroom; St. John Nepomuk, Yukon - Technology upgrade for confirmation formation; St. Joseph, Ada - Totus Tuus; St. Joseph, Blackwell - Technology support for RE; St. Joseph, Union City - Symbolon DVD Series for RCIA; St. Patrick, Anardarko RE bible study, music, group activities equipment; St. Paul the Apostle, Del City - Tables/whiteboard for RE, RCIA; St. Peter, Lindsay - RE curriculum; St. Peter, Woodward Rome-Holy Week 2017 youth ministry; St. Richard, Carnegie Media upgrade for RE;

St. Rose of Lima, Perry - Technology for classroom; St. Teresa of Avila, Harrah - Technology equipment-STREAM; St. Thomas More, Norman - Totus Tuus; Good Shepherd, Marietta - Youth mission trips, CHWC, Steubenville; Holy Angels, OKC - Steubenville youth conference; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Calumet - Youth mission trips, CHWC, Steubenville; St. Benedict, Shawnee - Steubenville youth conference; St. Joseph Old Cathedral, OKC - Steubenville youth conference; St. Joseph, Tonkawa - Steubenville youth conference; St. Mary, Guthrie - Steubenville youth conference; St. Mary, Ponca City - Steubenville youth conference; St. Monica, Edmond - Steubenville youth conference; All Saints, Norman – Embryology, respect life program; Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, OKC Dance studio audio, visual upgrade; Cristo Rey Catholic High School, OKC - Set of Bibles, books for theology class; Good Shepherd, OKC - Classroom expansion, furnishings, equipment, supplies; Holy Trinity School, Okarche - Upgrade computers, server in lab, library, classrooms; Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School, OKC - First Lego League Robotics qualifier; Rosary School, OKC - Classroom iPads; Sacred Heart School, El Reno - Front Row classroom sound systems; Sacred Heart School, OKC - Attention deficit resources; St. Charles Borromeo, OKC - Ozobot Robot classroom kits; St. John Nepomuk School, Yukon - Breakout of the Norm with Breakout EDU; St. Joseph School, Enid - IXL software; St. Mary School, Guthrie - STREAM science, robots, drones; St. Mary School, Lawton - Proclaiming Christ through Words, Action & Song; St. Mary School, Ponca City - Accelscan scanners; St. Philip Neri School, Midwest City - Supplies to enhance science program.

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November 27, 2016

Sooner Catholic

Sooner Catholic

We all, in different ways and to different degrees, wander away from the kingdom like the prodigal son who departed to the far country, straying from the family of God, misspending our endowments, abandoning virtuous habits and indulging in empty pleasures. The Year of Mercy shone a light on God’s love, which far exceeds our flaws and willfulness: he is as persistent as the shepherd search-

ing for his lost sheep and the woman searching for her lost coin and, like the father of the prodigal son, always on the lookout for our return. Yet, what brings us to the doorstep of God and the threshold of mercy? Everything that causes us to question our self-sufficiency, control and unexamined satisfaction with the way we handle relationships or form judgment. It is everything that humbles us, turns

our hearts to God with an apology and makes clear our dependence on God. It is exactly this dependence that helps us recognize the gift we are receiving. It is unlikely for those who have never experienced the excruciating pain of plantar fasciitis to appreciate the benefits of orthotics, or those who have 20/20 vision to plant reading glasses everywhere. In a much bigger way, if we are not in touch with our own flaws, limitations and mistakes, we cannot really grasp the magnitude of God’s love and what a treasure it is. God’s generosity is more than what we can ever expect or think we deserve: God raises us to be heirs when we, like the prodigal son, would settle for being servants. For me, one change this Thanksgiving will lie in what I give thanks for. Of course, we should thank God for our good fortunes, overflowing bounty, successes and “A’s.” But, these pale in comparison to other gifts such as second and unlimited chances, tenderness in judgement and grace that heals souls. I am not proud of my impatience,

Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo President and Chief Executive, Catholic relief Services harsh words, snap judgements, vanity, stinginess, inattention to what is deserving of attention and holding back on God. But, I am unspeakably grateful when these faults turn me to God who assures all who are sincerely repentant that “kinder, more loving, more generous” are definitely possible in all our futures. For Catholics, perhaps an additional practice to the celebration of Thanksgiving, in the context of mercy, would be a trip to the confessional. Let us give thanks to God not just for things and fortune, but for mercy and grace. Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo is the president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, the official overseas humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. This article is part of her ongoing monthly column, “Our Global Family,” written for Catholic News Service.

Jobs Box Teacher assistant St. John’s CDC in Edmond is looking for a teacher’s assistant to help primarily in our Nest Program (Mother’s Day Out). Most job responsibilities occur in our 18 month – 2 year old classrooms; however, we have children through age 12. The teacher’s assistant will report M-F from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including traditional school breaks and holidays when the center is still open. Background check, fingerprinting, Safe Environment training and continuing education required. Pay based on previous experience. Send a resume to cdc@ stjohn-catholic.org. Children’s ministry helpers needed The charismatic prayer meeting, which meets every Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Catholic Pastoral Center, is developing a children’s ministry. We are looking for adults who enjoy helping children ages 4 to 9 learn more about their Catholic faith. We also need someone who can watch children ages 2 to 3. A stipend is available. Contact Norma Rupel at [email protected]. Principal – Tulsa Marquette Catholic School in Tulsa is seeking a new principal for the 2017-2018 school year. The school serves 400 students in K-8 and includes a state-of the-art Early Childhood Education Center. Requirements: Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, minimum of three years teaching or administrative experience in a

Catholic school, master’s degree in administration, education or an unrelated field with an alternative teaching certificate, hold or be working toward religious education certification. Download and complete application at www. dioceseoftulsa.org/catholicschools. Return application, cover letter (introducing yourself, suitability for this position and salary requirements) and resume with detailed professional experience. E-mail to [email protected]. English teacher All Saints Catholic School in Norman is seeking a certified teacher for junior high English, beginning in January. Applicants must hold state certification, and teaching experience is preferred. Inquiries by e-mail only. Send applications and resumes to Dana Wade, principal, at [email protected]. Director of Evangelization and Catechesis The Executive Director of Evangelization and Catechesis has responsibility for developing, overseeing and supporting faith formation and discipleship efforts in the archdiocese. The Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis provides policy guidance, resources and training for catechetical and discipleship programs for children, youth, young adults, and adults of the parishes and missions of the archdiocese. It assumes all administrative and organizational responsibilities for the department and its staff. The Executive Director

supports and promotes the Catholic Church’s teachings on evangelization and catechesis and ensures its commitment and integration throughout every aspect of Catholic life and ministry in the archdiocese. The successful candidate will have a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience working within diocesan Religious Education structures or similar experience preferred; an advanced degree in Theology, Catechesis, Education or relevant field; and must be an active Catholic in good standing with a strong desire to assist the Church in faithfully and responsibly communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the mission, ministry and needs of the Catholic Church. To apply for this position please submit a resume to [email protected]. Development and marketing office assistant The Center of Family Love is looking for an administrative office assistant for the Development/ Marketing Department. The Center of Family Love provides a home for those who live with intellectual and physical disabilities, helping them to live rich lives, full of passion and purpose. E-mail resume to HR@ cflinc.org. Catapult Learning teacher Provides contracted instructional services for Sacred Heart and St. Charles schools in OKC with the necessary educational expertise in reading, mathematics, writing and related areas; diagnoses learning skill deficits and delivers prescribed instructional delivery methods as

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U.S. Bishops to launch nationwide consultation, missionary effort with Latino Catholics

Rethinking Thanksgiving after the Year of Mercy This year, Thanksgiving week starts right after the formal conclusion of the Extraordinary Year of Mercy. How do we incorporate what we have gained from the prayers, talks, readings and reflections that most of us took part in during the year to shape the way we think about and celebrate Thanksgiving? So much of our Thanksgiving pivots around what fills us with satisfaction and a sense of sufficiency. Like most people, my gratitude is tightly wrapped around all the good things or blessings in my life. Elements of this long litany would include my loving husband and sons, the immediate family in good health, success in our various engagements, fun and loyal friends and stability that insulates us from the economic travails that many others face. It is only natural and appropriate to give thanks for all the things that go well in our lives, may these be work, health, finance or relationships.  Yet, the Year of Mercy called us also to be mindful of those things that don’t go so well in our lives.

November 27, 2016

determined by the company; consults with school personnel to coordinate efforts in providing services to students; communicates and conferences with parents providing information on student progress. Apply online at www.catapultlearning.com and click on Careers. Apply to job No. 2016-4090. BMCHS cafeteria staff Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School is seeking a part-time worker for the cafeteria. Contact Laura Scott at [email protected], (405) 842-6656. Health care director St. Gregory’s Abbey is seeking full-time director of abbey health care. LPN required; RN preferred. Candidates should have experience managing staff members in variety of health care settings. Submit letters and resume to Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., St. Gregory’s Abbey, 1900 W. MacArthur, Shawnee 74804 or [email protected]. Birth Choice volunteers needed Birth Choice is in serious need of volunteers who will administer pregnancy tests, mentor clients and help with clerical work. Contact Barbara at (405) 606-8428. SGU admissions office coordinator Oversee daily tasks of the admissions office and supervise student workers in the admissions office. Apply online at www.stgregorys. edu/about-us/employment. To see more job openings, go online to www.soonercatholic.org.

Fifth National Encuentro to focus on Latino youth and families BALTIMORE – Catholic dioceses around the country will soon be involved in an intensive consultation and missionary effort called the “Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry.” Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis, the theme of the V Encuentro is “Missionary Disciples: Witnesses of God’s Love.” The main goal of the V Encuentro is to discern ways for the Church in the United States to better respond to the ever-growing Hispanic presence, and to help Hispanics Catholics to strengthen their Christian identity and their response as missionary disciples for the entire Church.  The Encuentro starts at the grass-roots level and calls for the development of resources and initiatives to better serve the

fast-growing Hispanic population in dioceses, parishes, ecclesial movements, and other Catholic organizations and institutions while at the same time promoting the

development of Latino leadership within the Church.   “The Fifth Encuentro is a time of grace,” said Bishop Nelson Pérez, auxiliary bishop of Rockville

Centre, N.Y., and chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs. “It is a great opportunity for the Church to reach out to our Hispanic brothers and sisters with Christ’s message of hope and love. It is a time to listen, a time to develop meaningful relationships, a time to learn and bear abundant fruits, and a time to rejoice in God’s love.”  Bishop Perez’s report on the V Encuentro to the Fall General Assembly of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore served as the official launching of this wide-ranging USCCB initiative, which will start in parishes and dioceses across the country during early 2017 and continue for several years. After the parish, diocesan and regional phases of consultation, reflection and missionary activ-

ity are concluded, the process will reach its zenith at the National V Encuentro gathering to be celebrated in late September 2018 in the Fort Worth area, with approximately 3,000 delegates from participating dioceses across the country. After that, a time for reflection on the findings, identification of good ministerial practices and implementation strategies at the local level will follow.  The V Encuentro will especially engage Latino young people and families, and invite them to share their gifts and talents with people in their parishes and in society.  The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) estimates that 30.5 million Hispanics/Latinos in the United States self-identify as Catholic. Currently, about 60 percent of U.S. Catholics under the age 18 are of Hispanic/Latino heritage.

Cardinal DiNardo elected president of U.S. bishops Archbishop Gomez elected vice president; Archbishop Coakley elected to CRS Board BALTIMORE – Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, was elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) during their annual fall General Assembly in Baltimore. Cardinal DiNardo has served as vice president of the USCCB since 2013. Archbishop Jose Gomez was elected as USCCB vice president.  Cardinal DiNardo and Archbishop Gomez are elected to three-year terms and succeed Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., and Cardinal DiNardo, respectively. The new president and vice president terms began at the conclusion of the General Assembly on Nov. 15.  Cardinal DiNardo was elected president on the first ballot with 113 votes. Archbishop Gomez was elected vice president on the third ballot by 131-84 in a runoff vote against Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans.  The president and vice president

are elected by a simple  Bishop Timothy L. Domajority from a slate herty of Lafayette, Ind., of 10 nominees. If no chairman-elect of the president or vice presiCommittee on Protection of dent is chosen after the Children and Young People. second round of voting,  Each bishop elected will a third ballot is a run-off serve for one year as secrebetween the two bishops tary-elect or chairman-elect who received the most before beginning a threevotes on the second balyear term. lot.   Bishops elected to the  The bishops also chose CRS board were: Archthe chairmen-elect of bishop Paul S. Coakley of five committees and new Oklahoma City, Bishop members of the board Gregory Parkes of PensaArchbishop Coakley congratulates Archbishop Gomez on of Catholic Relief Sercola-Tallahassee, Fla.; and his election as vice-president of the USCCB during the vices, (CRS). The bishops conference’s fall General Assembly. Photo USCCB/CNS. Archbishop Jerome Listecki elected are: of Milwaukee, Wisc.  Bishop Robert E. Barron, auxil Bishop Robert P.  In November 2015, Archiary bishop of Los Angeles, chairDeeley of Portland, Maine, chairbishop Gomez was elected to chair man-elect of the Committee on man-elect of the Committee on the Committee on Migration for a Evangelization and Catechesis. Canonical Affairs and Church term beginning this week. Since  Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio Governance. his election as USCCB vice-presiof the U.S. Archdiocese for Mili Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of dent prevents him from assuming Scranton, Penn., chairman-elect of tary Services, chairman-elect of leadership of the committee, the the Committee on Ecumenical and the Committee on International bishops will elect a new chairman Justice and Peace. Interreligious Affairs. at a later time.

“Once I started believing, I knew God would never leave me alone” Ardmore family thankful for Church welcome By Charles Albert The Sooner Catholic

Maria Rivera, 48, was raised in a remote area without formal education and never learned to read or write. She also never learned about God until she moved to Ardmore in 1999. Since then, God has become an integral part of her family’s life. She and her husband, Jose, are blessed with three boys and two girls. Father Juan Manual personally welcomed her to Saint Mary in Ardmore in 1999, and she said her feelings of being alone vanished. She put herself and her family in God’s hands. About six years ago, Rivera took part in Curs-

illo for the first time. She said she found it to be a fantastic experience that drew her closer to God. A few years ago, she was asked to start singing the Psalms during Mass. She asked God to guide her through this as her reading skills were limited. Rivera asked God, “If you want me to sing your praises, you are going to have to guide me.” Rivera added, “God has given me the strength to help me through this challenge.” Rivera’s family has made an effort to follow Archbishop Coakley’s call to “Go make disciples.”

According to Juan Jimenez, director of Spanish ministry in Ardmore, “The family is always there to help anyone in need in the community. They will help with prayers, food, drink and anything else people need. They truly understand the needs of people who are disadvantaged. Her family is a wonderful example of Christian love and Christian example.” Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.

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Sooner Catholic

November 27, 2016

Sooner Catholic

Adviento: Un nuevo comienzo lleno de Esperanza Cristocéntrica

Tiempo para sanar ertas por temor a que los funcionarios de inmigración empiecen a reunir a “ilegales” y a iniciar deportaciones masivas. Los niños nacidos en este país (que son Arzobispo Pablo S. Coakley ciudadanos) temen que sus padres no regresen del trabajo porque han sido colocados en un centro de detención. Estos son nuestros feligreses, nuestros hermanos y hermanas, con quienes compartimos los bancos en nuestras iglesias. La amenaza de deportaciones masivas de indocumentados es claramente impráctica y un claro error. Muchas personas están alarmadas por el resultado de esta elección y asumen erróneamente que los que votaron por el Sr. Trump lo hicieron porque están bien con la retórica anti-inmigrante, racista, anti-musulmana y anti-mujer. No es una suposición razonable. La nueva administración tampoco debe asumir que tiene un mandato para actuar sobre tales suposiciones. Con la candencia de la prolongada campaña que está detrás de nosotros, espero y rezo para que nuestro presidente electo comience a retroceder parte de la retórica divisiva que ha causado tanto miedo y alarma en nuestras comunidades. Esta retórica hará imposible que nuestro presidente sane a nuestra nación y comenzar la tarea de gobernar a todos los estadounidenses. Es antitético al espíritu de hospitalidad y bienvenida que ha hecho de esta nación de inmigrantes el mejor país del mundo. Nos guste o no; Si hemos votado por él o no; Es nuestro deber rezar por nuestro presidente. Habría sido así, incluso si la elección hubiese producido un resultado diferente.

Programa ayuda a guatemaltecos combatir desnutrición Por Judith Sudilovsky Catholic News Service

MOMOSTENANGO, Guatemala – Cuando tenía 12 años de edad y trabajaba como obrera agrícola, Elvia Abac juró que sus futuros hijos nunca pasarían hambre como ella experimentó. Siendo la mayor de nueve hijos, Abac tuvo que abandonar la escuela para trabajar en los campos y ayudar a su madre a proveer para la familia después que su padre los abandonó. Ella trabajaba largas horas y llevaba a casa las tortillas que le daban de cenar a sus hermanos, para que ellos tuvieran algo de comer. Ahora casada y madre de un hijo de 8 años de edad y una hija de dos años, Abac, de 29 años, vive con sus suegros. El mayor reto como familia joven, ella dijo, es que su esposo, obrero, no siempre encuentra trabajo. Muchos días no han tenido suficiente comida para todos, ella dijo. Más de la mitad de los niños de Guatemala menores de 5 años de edad están crónicamente desnutridos. En zonas étnicamente mayas como en la región montañosa de Totonicapán, más del 70 por ciento de los niños sufre de desnutrición crónica. Hay pocas oportunidades de empleo aquí y la mayoría de los residentes de la villa son obreros agrícolas para grandes terratenientes.

Abac se unió recientemente a un grupo de mujeres de su villa, un programa para resolver el problema de hambre, copatrocinado por Caridades Católicas, Caritas de San Marcos y una organización no gubernamental de desarrollo local. Conocido por su acrónimo SEGAMIL, el programa ayuda a mujeres a establecer sus propias hortalizas, les enseña la importancia de las buenas prácticas higiénicas y cómo incorporar a su dieta la proteína animal, como los huevos. En sus primeras etapas el programa da raciones de comida mensualmente a mujeres embarazadas, a madres que amamantan y a niños menores de 2 años. Al mejorar el acceso a alimentos y agua limpia, el proyecto tiene la meta de reducir la desnutrición crónica, y muerte por falta de alimento, entre los niños. El programa tiene la esperanza de ayudar a 23,000 familias en ocho municipios cuando llegue a su término en julio del 2018. “Daré todo para que mis hijos no sufran como yo”, dijo Abac, cuyos suegros le dieron un pequeño terreno para comenzar una hortaliza casera. “Con mi hijo, solíamos darle el mismo alimento” que ellos comían antes de su nacimiento. “Él tenía infecciones todo el tiempo”, dijo Abac. Ahora, ella dijo,

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¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Lánzate a lo más ProfundoLuke 5:4

Esta no es la columna que esperaba escribir Ciertamente, significa que los encuestadores esta semana. A decir verdad, esperaba escribir y politólogos se equivocaron. Había aparentesobre los prospectos y desafíos de una presiden- mente mucho más descontento con el statu cia de Clinton. Habría sido una primicia notable quo y hacia donde nos dirigíamos de lo que nos para el país si hubiéramos elegido a nuestra pri- imaginábamos. Sería difícil fijar la victoria del mera mujer presidenta. Eso tendrá que esperar. presidente electo Trump a cualquier promesa Por otra parte, sin duda hubiéramos tenido o propuesta de campaña. Era un candidato muchas serias preocupaciones: el mandato difícil de admirar. Su lenguaje y retórica eran HHS (mandato que obliga a los proveedores de a menudo escandalosos, y ciertamente tenía seguros médicos a incluir en sus pólizas esteril- muchos defectos de carácter, como la mayoría ización, contraceptivos y la píldora del día sigude nosotros. iente que tiene efectos abortivos), matrimonio Su retórica más alarmante, sin embargo, entre personas del mismo parecía calculada para despersexo y transgéneros estaría tar el temor a los inmigrantes. “Muchas personas están asegurado por otro poderoso e Ciertamente, proteger nuestras alarmadas por el resulinfluyente defensor en la Casa fronteras, la seguridad pública Blanca. Mi principal preocuy seguridad nacional es de tado de esta elección y pación eran los nombramiencrucial importancia en una asumen erróneamente que tos a la Corte Suprema que época en que el narcotráfico los que votaron por el Sr. una presidenta Hillary Cliny el terrorismo amenazan a Trump lo hicieron porque ton casi seguramente habría nuestra nación y a nuestras propuesto al Senado. Habría comunidades. están bien con la retórica pocas o ninguna esperanza Quizás la promesa de camanti-inmigrante, racista, de revertir la expansión del paña más memorable del anti-musulmana y anacceso al aborto durante las candidato Trump fue la de ti-mujer. No es una supospróximas décadas. construir un muro a lo largo ición razonable. La nueva Basándome en sus muy bien de nuestra frontera sureña (y documentados antecedentes y hacer que México pague por administración tampoco sus promesas de campaña, ya ella). Si vamos a construir un debe asumir que tiene un esperaba que los nombramienmuro, como recientemente dijo mandato para actuar sotos hubieran tenido que proel Arzobispo Thomas Wenski bre tales suposiciones.” meter lealtad a lo ya decidido de Miami, “necesitamos muros en el caso de la Suprema Cote con puertas porque algunos de conocido como Roe v. Wade nuestros mejores estadounidy que esto hubiera contribuido a la erosión de enses han sido inmigrantes o refugiados. ... No nuestra primera y fundamental libertad, nuesvolveremos a hacer de Estados Unidos un gran tra libertad religiosa. país haciendo de Estados Unidos un país cruel.” Entra el presidente electo Donald J. Trump. La ardiente retórica política utilizada duNo lo vi venir. Tal vez podamos respirar más rante la campaña está realmente alarmando fácilmente sobre algunas de las preocupaciones a millones de inmigrantes indocumentados en que una administración diferente podría haber nuestra nación. Conozco a muchos de nuespresentado. Entonces, ¿cuáles son los prospectos tros católicos que temen lo que pueda traer el de una presidencia Trump? ¿Qué significa eso? mañana. Tienen miedo de responder a sus pu-

November 27, 2016

todos se lavan las manos apropiadamente “y él sigue lo que hago, de modo que toda la familia está más saludable. No hemos tenido que ir al médico tan a menudo”. Estamos comiendo alimento y vegetales limpios”. Durante reuniones bimensuales con mujeres líderes locales que han sido entrenadas en el programa y con representantes de los patrocinadores, las mujeres de la villa están aprendiendo a sembrar vegetales y plantas como brécol, apio, coliflor, repollo, rábano y manzanilla para suplementar sus cosechas tradicionales de maíz y frijol. Aprender cómo sembrar una variedad de vegetables para cosechar las ha hecho más conscientes de la importancia de dar una variedad de comida a sus hijos, dijo Idalia Carlichero, de 24 años de edad, promotora agrícola del grupo. Las

mujeres han comenzado a experimentar con distintos métodos de cocinar los vegetales, en gran medida con la aprobación de sus familias, ella dijo. Los favoritos incluyen brécol empanado con huevos, habas en salsa roja con ensalada de rábano con chicharrón, lechuga y limón. “Hacemos esto para asegurar que nuestros niños siempre tengan algo de comer”, dijo Leticia Pérez, de 22 años, cuyo esposo trabaja como colector de boletos de autobús. “Aunque no podamos comprar algo en el mercado tenemos nuestro propio alimento”. Aunque el asunto de la desnutrición es de extensión local, el ministro guatemalteco de relaciones exteriores, Carlos Morales Moscoso, también ve ramificaciones nacionales e internacionales de gran alcance si el problema no se resuelve pronto. Julia Martínez, de Momostenango, Guatemala, muestra un rábano sembrado en su hortaliza el 7 de octubre. Martínez participa en el programa SEGAMIL, para terminar con el problema de hambre en Guatemala, patrocinado por CRS, Caritas San Marcos y una organización no gubernamental de desarrollo local. Foto CNS-Judith Sudilovsky.

Con la puesta del sol el 26 de nov. de 2016 comenzamos oficialmente nuestro nuevo año litúrgico y la época de Adviento. Muchos probablemente notarán el cambio en los colores litúrgicos y la corona de advenimiento pero el año litúrgico es mucho más que nuevas decoraciones, esquemas de color o el pasar al ciclo A en el Leccionario. El año litúrgico está centrado en Jesucristo. “La santa Madre Iglesia considera que es su deber celebrar la obra de salvación de su divino Esposo con un sagrado recuerdo, en días determinados a través del año. Cada semana, en el día que llamó “del Señor”, conmemora su resurrección, que una vez al año celebra también, junto con su santa pasión, en la máxima solemnidad de la Pascua. Además, en el ciclo del año desarrolla todo el Misterio de Cristo. [...] Al conmemorar así los misterios de la redención, abre la riqueza de las virtudes y de los méritos de su Señor, de modo que se los hace presentes en cierto modo, durante todo tiempo, a los fieles para que los alcancen y se llenen de la gracia de la salvación” (CIC 1163). Si bien la celebración principal y central del año litúrgico es la Pascua, el gran misterio de la Pasión, Muerte, Resurrección y Ascensión de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, los

acontecimientos salvíficos, todos centrados en la vida de Cristo, que preceden a la Pascua y los que le siguen, son también celebrados de manera especial. El año litúrgico es el desarrollo de los diversos aspectos del único misterio pascual. Esto vale muy particularmente para el ciclo de las fiestas en torno al misterio de la Encarnación (Anunciación, Navidad, Epifanía) que conmemoran el comienzo de nuestra salvación y nos comunican las primicias del misterio de Pascua. (CIC 1171) La época de Adviento es nuestra oportunidad para reflexionar y celebrar el despliegue del Misterio de la Encarnación y la unión de la esperanza original en la primera venida del Mesías con nuestra alegre esperanza en su segunda venida triunfal que podría suceder en cualquier momento. Desde la Ascensión, el advenimiento de Cristo en la gloria es inminente aun cuando a nosotros no nos “toca conocer el tiempo y el momento que ha fijado el Padre con su autoridad”. Este aconte-

cimiento escatológico se puede cumplir en cualquier momento, aunque tal acontecimiento y la prueba final que le ha de preceder estén “retenidos” en las manos de Dios. (CIC 673) El nuevo año litúrgico es una oportunidad para una vez más reflexionar sobre cuánto somos amados por Dios y todos los pasos que Él tomó para salvarnos del pecado y bendecirnos a todos con la salvación en ya través de Jesucristo. Por eso la Iglesia, especialmente durante los tiempos de Adviento, Cuaresma y sobre todo en la noche de Pascua, relee y revive todos estos acontecimientos de la historia de la salvación en el “hoy” de su Liturgia. Pero esto exige también que la catequesis ayude a los fieles a abrirse a esta inteligencia “espiritual” de la economía de la salvación, tal como la liturgia de la Iglesia la manifiesta y nos la hace vivir. (CIC 1095) Así que a medida que comenzamos la maravillosa época de Adviento, nuestra época de esperanza, nos comprometemos a vivir

Pedro A. Moreno, O.P. Director, Oficina de Ministerio Hispano

un año más con nuestras vidas centradas en Cristo. Llenarnos de su vida, amor y esperanza. Adviento es saber que así como Dios cumplió sus promesas en el pasado, la Encarnación, entonces estamos anclados en la firme esperanza de que todo irá bien y podemos regocijarnos en saber que sus promesas para el futuro, la Segunda Venida de Cristo, también se cumplirán triunfalmente. ¡El Adviento es nuestra época de Esperanza! La virtud de la esperanza corresponde al anhelo de felicidad puesto por Dios en el corazón de todo hombre; asume las esperanzas que inspiran las actividades de los hombres; las purifica para ordenarlas al Reino de los cielos; protege del desaliento; sostiene en todo desfallecimiento; dilata el corazón en la espera de la bienaventuranza eterna. El impulso de la esperanza preserva del egoísmo y conduce a la dicha de la caridad. (CIC 1818) ¡Para todos un año nuevo feliz y lleno de esperanza!

Obispos estadounidenses lanzan proceso nacional misionero y de consulta con católicos latinos El V Encuentro Nacional se enfocará en principalmente en las familias y los jóvenes latinos BALTIMORE—Las diócesis católicas en todo el país participarán pronto en una consulta intensiva y esfuerzo misional llamado el “Quinto Encuentro Nacional de Ministerio Hispano/ Latino”.  El tema principal del “V Encuentro es: Discípulos Misioneros: Testigos del Amor de Dios”, y deriva su inspiración directamente del Papa Francisco El objetivo principal del V Encuentro es discernir formas en que la Iglesia en los Estados Unidos puede responder mejor a la creciente presencia latina para ayudar a los hispanos católicos a fortalecer su identidad cristiana y su respuesta como discípulos misioneros para toda la iglesia. El Encuentro comienza en el nivel de base y hace un llamado al desarrollo de iniciativas y recursos para servir mejor a la creciente población hispana a través de las diócesis, parroquias, movimientos eclesiales y otras organizaciones católicas e instituciones, al mismo tiempo que busca promover el desarrollo de líderes latinos dentro de la Iglesia. “El V Encuentro es un tiempo de gracia”, dijo el Mons. Nelson Pérez, obispo auxiliar de Rockville Centre, Nueva York, y presidente del Subcomité de Asuntos Hispanos

de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB). “Es una gran oportunidad para la Iglesia de llegar a nuestros hermanos y hermanas hispanos con el mensaje de Cristo de esperanza y amor. Es un tiempo para escuchar, un tiempo para desarrollar relaciones significativas, un tiempo de aprendizaje y de dar frutos abundantes y un tiempo para regocijarse en el amor de Dios”. El informe de Mons. Pérez sobre el V Encuentro a la Asamblea General de otoño de los obispos católicos en Baltimore, supone el lanzamiento oficial de esta amplia iniciativa de los obispos católicos que comenzará en las parroquias y diócesis en todo el país a principios del 2017 y continuará por varios años. Después de que se lleven a cabo los encuentros parroquiales, diocesanos y regionales de consulta, reflexión y acción misionera, el proceso llegará a su cenit en el V Encuentro Nacional

que se celebrará a finales del mes de septiembre de 2018 en el área de Fort Worth, Texas, con aproximadamente 3.000 delegados de todas las diócesis participantes de la nación. Después de eso, seguirá un tiempo de reflexión sobre los resultados, identificación de buenas prácticas ministeriales, y desarrollo y aplicación de estrategias a nivel local. Se espera que más de 1 millón de católicos participaran directamente en el proceso, en sus diferentes etapas, pero se alcanzará a muchas más personas a través de la actividad misionera de los participantes. Más de 150 diócesis de Estados Unidos ya han formado equipos locales en preparación para el proceso del V Encuentro y se espera que muchas otras los designarán muy pronto. “He sido formado por el proceso del Encuentro como párroco y como obispo”, dijo Mons. Pérez. “Yo participe en el Tercer Encuentro Nacional en los años 80 y fui muy activo en su imple-

mentación como un pastor. Hoy tengo la bendición de ser parte del V Encuentro como obispo y espero que el proceso traiga muchos frutos a las diócesis y parroquias en todo el país.” El V Encuentro busca involucrar especialmente a las familias y jóvenes latinos para invitarlos a compartir sus dones y talentos con la gente en sus parroquias y en la sociedad. “Los Hispanos/Latinos son un gran regalo para la iglesia y la sociedad en los Estados Unidos. El V Encuentro está diseñado involucrar, abrazar y dar fuerza a ese regalo”, dijo el Mons. Gustavo García-Siller, Arzobispo de San Antonio y presidente del Comité sobre la Diversidad Cultural en la Iglesia, el cual es responsable de esta iniciativa en nombre de los obispos de Estados Unidos. El Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (Centro de investigación aplicada en el apostolado, o CARA por sus siglas en inglés) estima que 30.5 millones de Hispanos/Latinos en los Estados Unidos se identifican como católico. En la actualidad, aproximadamente el 60% de los católicos estadounidenses menores de los 18 años son de herencia Hispana/ Latina.

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November 27, 2016

Rother Heritage Gallery exhibit open The Heritage Gallery at the Catholic Pastoral Center, 7501 Northwest Expressway, is now open. The exhibit features items from Servant of God Father Stanley Rother, including his cassock, letters and photos, and items found in his room in Guatemala after his murder. The free exhibit is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Frs. Janocha and Grover to lead pilgrimage to Fatima Fr. Carl William Janocha and Fr. Daniel Grover will lead a pilgrimage to Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, and Lourdes, from Nov. 7-17, 2017. Cost is $3,099 pp, including airfare from Oklahoma City, four-star hotels, most meals and more. Sites include Lisbon, Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, Salamanca, Avila, Madrid, and Lourdes. In 1917, Our Lady appeared to three small children in a field in Fatima. Join in to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this apparition, and visit the pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela, with the burial place of St. James, see the shrine to St. Teresa of Avila, and the Grotto of the Apparition of Our Lady to Bernadette in Lourdes. $400 deposit required. Contact Fr. Carl Janocha, (580) 3952148, [email protected]. Fr. Jim Goins to celebrate silver jubilee with pilgrimage Join Fr. Jim Goins to celebrate his silver jubilee by walking the Way of St. James through coastal Portugal and Spain May 28-June 9, 2017. Limited to 25 pilgrims. Porto, Ponte de Lima, Valencia, Orbenille, Mos, Arcade, Pontevedra, El Parque Natural de Ria Barosa, San Miguel, Rua de Francos Padron, Santiago de Compostela. Cost is $4,399 pp dbl. occ., includes all meals, roundtrip air from OKC, luggage transfers, superior hotels, guides, all admissions. Mass daily, support/chase van available and luxury motor coach for sightseeing and transfer to and from trail start/end locations each day. $300 pp deposit. Contact (405) 2932003, [email protected]. Ireland pilgrimage Join Fr. Ray Ackerman and Fr. John Peter Swaminathan on a unique pilgrimage to Ireland, July 10-22. Includes Dublin, Baltinglass Abbey, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Our Lady of Knock, St. Patrick’s Tomb and Cathedral, Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Museum in Belfast, Glendalough, Lake Corrib Cruise, Trinity College, Gallarus Oratory, Kilmalkedar Church, St. John’s Cathedral, Holy Well of St. Brigid, Cliffs of Moher, O’Brien’s Tower, Rock of Cashel, Clonmacnoise, Blarney Castle, the Burren, Downpatrick Cathedral, Inch Abbey, Galway, and more. Mass, breakfast, dinner daily. 4-star hotels, luxury motorcoach, roundtrip air from OKC. $4,399 pp. $300 pp deposit. Contact Melani Roewe at (405) 293-2003 or go online to http://bit.ly/RevAckermanIreland

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to download brochure. Secure online registration at http://bit. ly/29KPZTT. Advent organ recitals St. Francis of Assisi, 1901 N.W. 18, to host its second annual Advent Organ Recital Series beginning Nov. 27. Each Sunday of Advent at 2 p.m. local organists will perform a 30- to 45-minute recital, featuring classical and seasonal music. All invited to the free event. Nov. 27: Silviya Mateva, director of music and organist, St. Philip Episcopal, Ardmore. Dec. 4: Clint Davis, director of music and organist, St. Joseph Catholic, Norman. Dec. 11: Vicki Schaeffer, organist and congregational musician, Mayflower Congregational United, OKC. Dec. 18: Alvez Barkoskie IV, director of sacred music and organist, St. Francis of Assisi, OKC. Healing after abortion Have you had an abortion or been affected by another’s abortion? Experience the healing love of Jesus Christ at a Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreat. Participation is strictly confidential. Next retreat: Dec. 2-4. Cost: $75 for meals, private room, all retreat materials. Contact: (405) 6233844, rachelsvineyardokc@gmail. com. Payment plans and financial assistance available. Marriage workshop On Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Catholic Pastoral Center, the Office of Family Life is partnering with the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative to present a Spanish language workshop, Real y Para Siempre, that is designed to help in areas such as speaker/listener technique, problem solving, ground rules for handling conflict and other pertinent issues that can aid in honing our communication skills. Begins at 9:30 a.m. with sign-in. Program is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No cost. Call Lisa at (405) 709-2709. Real y para siempre La Oficina de la Vida Familiar se ha asociado con la Iniciativa Matrimonial de Oklahoma para presentar un taller Real y Para Siempre el sábado, 3 de diciembre en el Centro Pastoral Católico, 7501 Northwest Expressway, OKC.  Este programa está diseñado para ayudar en la comunicación: Técnica de locutor/oyente, resolución de problemas, reglas para el manejo de conflictos y otros temas pertinentes que pueden ayudar a perfeccionar nuestras habilidades de comunicación. El día comienza a las 9:30 a.m. con inscripción y la primera sesión a las 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Para más información o para inscribirse llame a Lisa en (405) 709-2709.  Es todo en español y la entrada es gratuita. Christmas trip Join Michael and Debra Zink for travel to Plano, Texas, for a Christmas program, Dec. 10. Lunch buffet included. Christmas songs, bingo and trivia. Cost $119.

Contact Michael Zink at (405) 3144120, [email protected]. Christmas concert Festival of Lessons and Carols will be performed by St. Gregory’s University’s Schola Cantorum on Dec. 11 at the Abbey Church. The program features sacred musical selections appropriate to the Christmas season. More information at www.stgregorys.edu. Christmas dance Catholic Singles and Friends will have a Christmas dance on Dec. 17 at St. Charles Borromeo, 5024 N. Grove, at 7 p.m. Dance ends at 11 p.m. Snack foods welcome for sharing table. Contact Dorothy at (405) 604-4603. Oklahoma Catholic Quiz Bowl The first Oklahoma Catholic Quiz Bowl will be held at St Gregory’s University on March 25. The OK CQB’s vision is to improve participants’ knowledge of the Catholic Church and to inspire a deeper love of the Faith in an integrated program of fun competition and good sportsmanship that will also provide participants and visitors opportunities to deepen their

faith through encounters with the monks, faculty and students at St. Gregory’s Abbey and University. Mass offered at St. Gregory’s Abbey for the Feast of the Annunciation. For more information, including rules, eligibility, sample questions or to enter your team, go online to www.fm-sgu.org/oklahoma-catholic-quiz-bowl or contact [email protected]. Catholic Charities weekly Mass Catholic Charities, at 1232 N. Classen Blvd., OKC, has Mass at 11 a.m. every Friday in the chapel. Mass is open to the public. Check holiday schedule.  Attention Christ the King alumni Christ the King School is searching for all CK Knights! The school would like to include alumni news in the annual school newsletter this fall. E-mail information and pictures to [email protected]. The newsletter will be posted under the “Alumni” link at www.ckschool.com/groups/4984/alumni/ home. Also, keep the database up-to-date by e-mailing updated contact information.

Are You Listening? By Sally Crowe Nash

lives we long to change. I know at Oklahoma Catholic Broadcasting In the 1960s, the Cleveland we face serious budget deficits in Indians supplied free baseball our monthly expenses that we do tickets to straight-A students. My not have the funding to address. sister and I were happy recipients. Let’s give our “impossibles to It was my introduction to being a God and allow Him to work in us. sports fan. Let’s believe God’s Word for what When my family moved to the He has in mind for us instead of Chicago area, I was introduced to dictating to Him how our plan or the identity and traditions a city solution should develop. Gabriel has with its sports teams in the concluded his announcement to Chicago Cubs. The fans of the Mary with the reminder “nothing “Loveable Losers” defended their will be impossible for God” (Luke team and licked their wounds 1:37). with “Wait ‘til next year!” Let’s put ourselves at the service Now, decades later, I watched in of God as Mary did, describing happy disbelief as the Cleveland herself as His handmaid. Be open Indians and the Chicago Cubs to God’s Word and His direction. squared off, vying for the pinnaThen, get ready to be amazed. cle of baseball in the 2016 World Listen to Oklahoma Catholic Series. I just reveled in the glory Broadcasting at 97.3 in OKC; of two losers transformed into 94.9 in Tulsa; 105.7 in Bristow; winners. 90.3 in Antlers; 102.9 in Broken Impossible? Maybe not. I am a Arrow; 100.9 in Edmond; 100.7 in Catholic, plunging into Advent, Elk City; 88.3 in Lawton; 88.3 in that season of expectation and Prague; 104.9 in Ringwood; and waiting, just as God’s Chosen Peo- 107.1 in Shawnee. ple waited for their Messiah. Recall DONATIONS can be made Mary, waiting just like the other faithful Jews (who were not getting in several ways. Go to www. much respect in the world). No one okcatholicbroadcasting.com and could have blamed Mary if she had click on the “Donate” link. If you have questions, contact Marlene been incredulous when the Angel Gabriel announced she would bear at (405) 255-7348 or mstapp4@ gmail.com. the Son of God, the long-awaited Savior. Instead, Mary fully opened BUSINESS OWNERS! Are you herself to the potential God had in interested in being recognized mind for her with complete conin a sponsor recognition spots? fidence in Him despite the risks Contact Sally Crowe Nash at (405) from the “conventional wisdom” 441-3798 or sallycrowenash@ of society. What a miracle that gmail.com. turned out to be! LISTEN ONLINE at www. We all have circumstances, okcatholicbroadcasting.com. conditions and obstacles in our

November 27, 2016

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This calendar only covers the two weeks between issue dates and may not reflect all of the calendar items. To see a full calendar, go to www.soonercatholic.org.

November 27 First Sunday of Advent. 27 Advent organ recital by Silviya Mateva of St. Philip Episcopal, 2 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi, 1901 N.W. 18, OKC. 27 Pray the Rosary for Life at the Norman abortion clinic, 2453 Wilcox Dr., 6:30 p.m. every Sunday. Contact Connie Lang at (405) 249-1041 or jlang9@ cox.net.

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30 Feast of St. Andrew. December 1

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Charismatic Catholic prayer meeting, 7 p.m., Catholic Pastoral Center. Contact Toni Calvey at (405) 630-0539, [email protected] or visit www.spiritOKC.org. Have you had an abortion or been affected by another’s abortion? Experience the healing love of Jesus Christ at a Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreat. Participation is strictly confidential. Cost: $75 for meals, private room, all retreat materials. Contact: (405) 623-3844, [email protected]. 2 First Friday Sacred Heart Mass at the CPC. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 5:30 p.m. with the Sacrament of Reconciliation available

Dominicans. Stanley Rother House (behind St. James) in OKC on the first Sunday of each month, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Call John or Mary McClernon at (405) 330-6334 or (405) 414-9407. 

before Mass. Mass at 7 p.m. Materials about First Friday Devotion and consecrating family and home to the Sacred Heart of Jesus available after Mass. Contact the Office of Family Life, (405) 721-8944. The Lay Missionaries of Charity, the Secular (Lay) Order of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, at St. Ann Nursing Home, OKC, on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Mass at 9:30 a.m.; meetings following. Fr. Tarasisio Tumuhereze is the spiritual director. Contact Karen Banks at (405) 3969086 or Toni Harrelson at (405) 341-2199.

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Second Sunday of Advent.

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The Secular Franciscan Order of St. Claire Fraternity meets at 1:15 p.m. the first Sunday of the month at St. Thomas More, Norman, in the library. All are welcome. To learn how Francis lived, plan to attend. Contact Alice at (405) 4737680.

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Advent organ recital by Clint Davis of St. Joseph, Norman, 2 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi, 1901 N.W. 18, OKC.

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Are you a Catholic layperson who is drawn to religious life? Attend the monthly meeting of the Third Order (Lay)

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Pray the Rosary for Life at the Norman abortion clinic, 2453 Wilcox Dr., at 6:30 p.m. every Sunday. Contact Connie Lang at (405) 249-1041 or jlang9@ cox.net.

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Feast of St. Nicholas.

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Feast of the Immaculate Conception. CPC closed.

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St. Ann’s Ministry for Pregnancy and Infant Loss will meet 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. the second Thursday of each month, at St. John’s Raphael House in Edmond. The monthly Catholic support group consists of parents who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, medical conditions, etc. Everyone welcome, no matter how long ago the loss occurred. Contact Marilyn Seiler (405) 3400691, Ext. 197, parishnurse@ stjohn-catholic.org.

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Charismatic Catholic prayer meeting, 7 p.m., Catholic Pastoral Center. Contact Toni Calvey at (405) 630-0539, [email protected] or

visit www.spiritOKC.org. 9

Feast of St. Juan Diego.

10 The Red Plains Benedictine Oblates of Mt. St. Scholastica meet monthly on the second Saturday from Noon to 2:30 p.m. in the school building, Rm. A/B, at St. Charles Borromeo. Contact Judith Martin at (405) 635-5665, jmmartinosb@yah​oo.com. 11 Third Sunday of Advent. 11 Advent organ recital by Vicki Schaeffer of Mayflower Congregational United, 2 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi, 1901 N.W. 18, OKC. 11 Charismatic Healing Mass, 5:30 p.m., Immaculate Conception, 3901 S.W. 29, OKC. Call (405) 685-4806. 11 Festival of Lessons and Carols, performed by the St. Gregory’s University Schola Cantorum in the Abbey Church, Shawnee. More information at www.stgregorys.edu. 11 Pray the Rosary for Life at the Norman abortion clinic, 2453 Wilcox Dr., at 6:30 p.m. every Sunday. Contact Connie Lang at (405) 249-1041 or jlang9@ cox.net.

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Sooner Catholic

November 27, 2016

Homeless persons find a spiritual father in Pope Francis By Hannah Brockhaus Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY – Always close to his heart, around 3,600 homeless men and women were given the chance to be physically near the Pope – and near the heart of the Church – as they participated in the Jubilee of Mercy. From 22 countries around Europe, the men and women came at the invitation of Pope Francis, who has called the poor the “treasures of the Church,” to participate in the European Festival of Joy and Mercy held in Rome Nov. 11-13. From the United Kingdom, Josephine Kandeba said meeting Pope Francis was like “a daughter talking with her father.” “He is very humble,” she said. “He listened to me. When I stopped him, I said, ‘Holy Father, if you don’t mind, I want to say something.’ He stopped, while I was holding his hand and while he was holding mine, and I said what I wanted to say to him.” Having been on the streets for years, Josephine now lives at a shelter in London. She said she never thought that one day she “could see the Pope.” Other pilgrims attending the event said they were struck by Francis’ great love for the poor, and the attention he showed to all of them. Terence, another pilgrim from the UK, pointed out that Pope Francis said “he’s the Pope of the

hostels with beds for the homeless. The weekend’s schedule for pilgrims included an audience and catechesis with Pope Francis on Friday, a vigil of Mercy at the basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls on Saturday evening, and concluded

The Jubilee Mass for the Poor in St. Peter’s Basilica, Nov. 13. Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

poor, and that has really stuck in my mind. Never before has a Pope said he’s the pope of the poor. He’s an exceptional man.” Organized by the French organization Fratello, the event brought in groups of pilgrims from around Europe and the UK, including a large number from France and Poland, and Rome itself. It was organized as a way to help the homeless participate more fully in the Church and in the Jubilee of Mercy. An organization in London called The Passage brought a group of around 50 from London. The Passage has a day center and two

St. Gregory’s University welcomes prospective students at “Cavalier Day” SHAWNEE – Saint Gregory’s University welcomed prospective students and their families at its first Cavalier Day of the year on Nov. 10. Prospective students had an opportunity to learn more about the programs, meet current students and faculty members, experience a college class with and tour the historic campus. The remaining Cavalier Day’s for this academic year will be Feb. 16 and April 20. To sign up for Cavalier Day, go online to www. stgregorys.edu/cavalierday or call (844) BE EXTRA.

Mandi Schoech, Shelby Giesler and Adriana Garza answer questions from prospective students during Cavalier Day at St. Gregory’s University on Nov. 10. Photo provided.

with Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Sunday. In between these, the schedule included Morning Prayer, faith sharing, and free time to tour Rome and walk through the Holy Doors for the Jubilee. Charlie Egan, another pilgrim, told CNA that he found it very moving when an older homeless man from France spoke to the Pope on Friday, with “tears in his eyes.” “And the Pope, he showed

so much love,” even giving the Frenchman a hug, Charlie said. “And then the Pope didn’t go away, he had a chat as if they were in a restaurant.” “The Pope talked about every person, homeless or not, looking for that dream and that goal, talking about peace and love and charity.” Charlie said that before going on the pilgrimage, he had four days to “look back” at his life. He said that he had “messed up” his life by drinking and had practiced no religion for years, only coming back to the faith a few years ago. But, at the vigil at Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Charlie said he had the chance to speak with a priest “about everything,” and he came out afterward “with a bit of emotion.” One of the messages he said he received that weekend was that even if you’ve lived a “bad life,” there is still the sacrament of confession. “Everything that Pope Francis said was brilliant,” said Jacob Mensah, a young man, also from London. What struck him was what Pope Francis said about dreams being for everyone, and that they all “have dignity.” Father Padraig Regan, a chaplain at The Passage, said the weekend was a huge “sign of respect” for everyone who participated.